Make it a date: The best of central Delaware this weekend

Friday

Sep 21, 2012 at 1:23 PMSep 21, 2012 at 1:50 PM

The first official weekend of autumn is quickly gearing up to be one of the busiest with plenty of music, theater, art and delectable food all over central Delawre. Wondering what to do? Let the Beacon plan the weekend for you.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21: 'THE VUKUZAKHE PROJECT'

WHERE Anne Jenkins Gallery, 127 N.W. Front St., Milford

WHEN 5 p.m., Friday, Sept 21

COST Free

INFO http://annejenkinsart.com

Local artist Anne Jenkins has been hard at work for the more than a few months on a project that's near and dear to her heart and Friday evening everyone will finally be able to check out her efforts.

"The Vukuzakhe Project" is a collaboration of Jenkins' painting skills and the stitching efforts of the KwaZulu Natal women she's been working with. Jenkins said that the works wind up being "interwoven stories dictated by the provenance of the fabric landscape."

The pieces are big, measuring 36 inches by 24 inches and a large chunk of the proceeds will go back to Africa so the women can continue their mission of mothering the orphaned children of the surrounding villages who have seen many of the adults succumb to AIDS.

For more information about the Jenkins and the project, visit her website at annejenkinsart.com.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21: MONTGOMERY GENTRY

WHERE Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, 1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover

WHEN 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21

COST $49.50 to $100

INFO www.doverdowns.com

One of country music's biggest acts, Montgomery Gentry, will take the stage at Dover Downs Friday night in support of their latest album, "Rebels on the Run," that promises to take fans back to their rowdy roots with country anthems that highlighting the working class backgrounds of both Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry.

Montgomery said that the duo's fans, whom they refer to as friends, have certain expectations that the band will leave it all on the stage when they perform and the new album will let them do just that.

"It feels just like when we started out in 1997 when we cut [the] 'Tattoos and Scars' [album]," Montgomery said. "We…just had a ball writing and cutting the CD."

Seats are still available across several price points, ranging from $49.50 to $100. Visit www.doverdowns.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

**Admission to the festival is free but some amenities and activities require a fee.

Is there a better way to spend the first official day of autumn than frolicking through a pumpkin patch, picking apples or navigating a corn maze? Fifer Orchards is hoping you love fall as much as they do and will bring the family over to celebrate the cooler weather and crisp tastes of fall squash, sweet potatoes and the last of the tomatoes. Or, you can dive into a fresh bag of kettle corn or a hot mug of apple cider.

But, there's more than just food. Saturday, there will be a petting zoo, hay rides, face painting, live music and a pumpkin train for the little munchkins.

The party won't stop, either, until Halloween so you'll have a chance everyday (except Sundays) to revel in everyone's favorite transitional season.

For more information about fall harvests available, activities and prices, visit www.fiferorchards.com or call (302) 697-2141.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 23: BRUNCH AT ABBOTT'S

WHERE Abbott's Grill, 249 N.W. Front St., Milford

WHEN 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

COST varies

INFO www.abbottsgrillde.com

As the weekend winds down, why not let somebody else cook and clean on Sunday while you spend the day recuperating from the weekend and gearing up for the week ahead? That's just what Abbott's Grill wants you to do with their weekly Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Get out of your comfort zone with a crab omelet or try something traditional like blueberry pancakes. If breakfast fare is just not your thing, you can also order a sandwich, a burger, a wrap or a salad.

There's even a little hair-of-the-dog available with a make-your-own-bloody mary bar and mimosas.

Menu prices range from $4.95 to 16.95. No reservations are necessary but it's never a bad idea to call ahead.

The show must go on and it will be going all weekend at the Riverfront Theater in downtown Milford with the Second Street Players production of "The Diary of Anne Frank."

The play is a story that most are familiar with as Anne Frank's published diaries have become a classroom staple, putting a face on the Holocaust while also providing intimate details of what it was like for Jews in hiding in the Netherlands during the two-year Nazi occupation of that country.

Show tickets are available for all three weekend performances but Saturday night's special pre-show dinner buffet at The George House is no longer an option as reservations were due last Friday, Sept. 14.